For the second time within a month, eleven crew members were arrested for their suspected involvement in an illegal transaction of Marine Gas Oil (MGO).
What happened?
The Police Coast Guard (PCG) arrested eleven crew members for their suspected involvement in an illegal transaction of Marine Gas Oil (MGO).
The Singapore Police Force said the men – aged between 23 and 45 – were caught after the PCG received information on Jan 19 that an unknown foreign-registered vessel was believed to be involved in an illegal sale of 200 metric tons of MGO. The fuel was touted to have an estimated market value of S$97,000.
Vessel traced
After further investigations, PCG officers traced and located the vessel – a tugboat – at the sea off Bedok Jetty on Feb 5. Nine crew members of the boat were arrested for purchasing the stolen fuel.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of another two crew members of a Singapore-registered tanker for misappropriating MGO on board without their company’s knowledge, and selling it to the crew of the tugboat.
Vessel seized
The vessel was seized for further investigations and the eleven men are scheduled to be charged in court on Wednesday under the Criminal Breach of Trust offence. If convicted, they can be jailed up to 15 years and fined.
Earlier this month, on Jan 8, 17 people were arrested for their suspected involvement in a multi-million dollar fuel heist from Shell Singapore’s plant in Palau Bukom. Of the arrested, 11 were charged in court.
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Source: Today Online
